National Register Listing

Ala Loa

a.k.a. Kiholo-Puako Trail

Off HI 19 from Kiholo Bay to Kalahuipaua'a, South Kohala, HI
The section of the 19th-century trail included in this nomination is probably the longest and best-preserved segment remaining on public land on the island of Hawaii. It is highly visible in the bare lava flows and is now readily accessible to the public. The trail represents a major public work by the government of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Although the precise dates of construction have not yet been determined, most of the trail included in this nomination was probably completed late in the 19th century. Prior to the introduction of horses in 1803, travel in Hawaii was by foot and canoe. Foot trails typically were adapted to the terrain and were narrow and irregular. They served to connect communities with one another, and some trails crossed the island to facilitate communications among ruling chiefs. When draft and saddle animals became common, trails became wider and straighter to accommodate the large animals. Kerbstones were added to guide horses as well as to delineate the trail in barren places. Routes were altered to avoid steep or rough ground inaccessible to horses. As the Western money economy replaced the Aboriginal subsistence economy, commerce and traffic increased. With greater engineering sophistication, roads were "improved" by straightening and widening to speed the movement of people and goods. Such a sequence of development can be seen along much of the trail here nominated: an ancient shoreline foot trail still used by fisherman; an ancient, winding "forerunner" trail, well-suited to foot travel, lying roughly parallel to the Kiholo-Puako Trail; and further inland a modern highway paved with asphalt and used by motorized traffic at ten times the speed of horses.
Local significance of the site:
Economics; Transportation

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

economics transportation
The Hawaiian Islands are some of the most isolated landmasses in the world, with the closest landmass being over 2,000 miles away. As a result, Hawaii has a unique flora and fauna, with many species that are found nowhere else in the world.
Hawaii random facts
Hawaii County, also known as the Big Island, is the largest and youngest of the Hawaiian Islands. The history of Hawaii County is shaped by the arrival of Polynesians, Europeans, and the eventual annexation by the United States.

The Polynesians were the first to settle in Hawaii County, arriving around 1,500 years ago. They brought with them their culture, traditions, and agricultural practices. They established a flourishing society based on fishing, farming, and trade. The island was ruled by chiefdoms, and their hierarchical structure was based on the division of labor and a system of religion and customs.

In 1778, British Captain James Cook arrived on the island, introducing Europeans to Hawaii County. Cook's arrival brought both curiosity and conflict. While Cook's initial visit was peaceful, tensions escalated on subsequent visits, leading to his death in 1779. European influence grew as more explorers, traders, and missionaries arrived in Hawaii County, bringing new technologies, diseases, and religious beliefs.

In the late 19th century, Hawaii County faced significant changes. Influenced by the economic interests of American businesspeople, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893, leading to the establishment of a provisional government and later the Republic of Hawaii. In 1898, the United States annexed Hawaii County as a territory, primarily driven by strategic military interests.

In 1959, Hawaii County became the 50th state of the United States. Since then, it has experienced growth in both population and tourism. The island's diverse landscapes, including active volcanoes, pristine beaches, and lush tropical forests, have made it a popular destination for visitors from around the world. Hawaii County continues to embrace its rich cultural heritage while evolving into a modern and vibrant place to live and visit.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hawaii County, Hawaii.

  • Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island, is believed to have been settled by Polynesians around 1,500 years ago.
  • In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook became the first recorded European to visit the island during his third Pacific voyage.
  • In 1790, the famous Battle of Kepaniwai took place between forces of the Hawaiian Kingdom and Maui warriors near present-day Hilo.
  • In 1791, the American merchant vessel "Eleanor" became the first recorded foreign ship to anchor in Hilo Bay, marking the beginning of increased foreign trade and influence on the island.
  • In 1840, Hilo was designated as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii by King Kamehameha III.
  • In 1885, the first sugarcane plantation was established in Puna, marking the beginning of large-scale sugarcane cultivation on the island.
  • In 1893, the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by a group of American and European businessmen, leading to the establishment of a provisional government dominated by foreign interests.
  • In 1900, Hawaii became a territory of the United States, and Hilo became the county seat of Hawaii County.
  • In 1946, the Hilo tsunami, caused by an earthquake near the Aleutian Islands, struck the island and devastated many coastal areas.
  • In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.
  • In 1983, the eruption of Kilauea volcano started, which has continued to shape the landscape of the island throughout the years.